I've always been a fan of "The Wizard of Oz."
Blame my mom.
I can't exactly recall the first time I saw the film, but what left a lasting impression on me was when I first saw the 60th anniversary restoration at the Senator Theatre in 1999. It was a classic movie in a classic theater. The colors were vibrant, the sound was bellowing from the speakers and my back ached from those horrid seats. But I didn't mind: I was watching a 60 year-old movie in the theater. The sheer implication was enough to impress me.
"… if I only had a brain."
So imagine my annoyance when I read earlier this week that there are plans to bring yet another remake of "The Wizard of Oz" to the big screen. According to an article published in Variety, Pras Michel of the Fugees has optioned the rights to the "Dark Oz" comic series to be made into a live-action adaptation of the comic trilogy.
This comes after the most recent retelling: "Tin Man," a miniseries on the SciFi channel. Other precursors include "Wicked" on Broadway; the announcement of plans for comic artist Todd McFarlane to bring his re-envisioning of the classic tale to the big screen (where Toto isn't an innocent puppy, but rather a warthog); and the 2005 Muppet remake.
Why?!
"I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too!"
A brief analysis of the aforementioned list with rudimentary criticism will reveal a glaring fact: remakes of "The Wizard of Oz" typically suck. I fully realize that the original movie was in fact an adaptation of L. Frank Baum's novel, but like most movie adaptations, it stood on its own as a truly creative piece of art. Like "The Godfather," "The Wizard of Oz" is more recognizable from is celluloid incarnation than it's paginated one.
What I can't seem to understand, however, is two simple things: why, after almost 70 years, a decent remake, reimagning, retelling, re-whatever can't be convincingly pulled off and why, after almost 70 years of failing, people are still trying.
You would think after Michael Jackson starred in "The Wiz," all hope would be abandoned for a decent remake.
If only that were true.
"Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!"
The thing is, I'm not exactly sure who to blame for this predicament. I'd like to point the figure at the studios and accost them for being money-grubbing whores (which they are) and trying to re-do (i.e., bastardize) a franchise for a new generation (which they frequently do).
But I must also take satisfaction in the realization that "The Wizard of Oz" remains relevant today. Sure it's been almost 70 years since it was first released, but it's fascinating to see a piece of art still inspire people to create today. It's a true testament to the power of film. Artists are still able to find new ways to tell the classic story in ways that creatively look at the timeless archetypes of Dorothy and her journey through Oz. Sure, most of them suck hard, but I'd like to think it's the thought that counts.
Of course, it's always a lot easier to blame those damn studios.
"There's no place like home."
So while this newest remake may or may not make it to the big screen, I would hope that those being exposed to the world of Oz for the first time will at first be shown the original 1939 movie. I would hope that they will get an experience like I did when I sat with a numb backside in the Senator on that rainy evening and saw what the small screen of the television could never convey.
In the world of home theaters, HDTV's, Blu-Ray and 5.1 surround sound, I would hope that the classic movie house is still revered by cinephiles when it comes to watching the classics.
Because that's the only place to see "The Wizard of Oz" and appreciate it for all of its glory.
And trust me, the flying monkeys are even scarier when they're 20 feet tall.
Just ask my mom.
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